The Importance of Reconciliation to the Broader School and Parish Community
Reconciliation/Penance is an extremely important sacrament for students to understand and take part in from a young age. Through studying this sacrament, students are able to build upon their previous knowledge and draw upon prior experiences, helping to directly relate their classroom learning to the Parish based community. Students can further explore their understanding of the importance to repair our relationship with God.
In terms of relating the sacrament of reconciliation to the religious dimension of the school, it is clear that if students are more conscious of their actions, they will be able to consider their actions in the playground and around the school community, in the way of considering how their actions have consequences. Teachers can use the students knowledge of the sacrament and relate this to playground rules and discussions on appropriate ways to act around staff and other students. A useful strategy within the classroom is creating classroom rules which have input from all students in the class. This will allow students to take ownership of their expectations within the classroom and are less likely to stray from the rules.
All Catholic schools are linked to their parish, whether it is on-site or not. If they choose to, they are given information about enrolling in the sacrament and the education based activities the students will be immersed in. It is important as students complete these activities and learning through their local Parish, that it is also reiterated in the RE syllabus.
Students will be enabled to learn and consider the ways of Jesus, aiming to follow in his footsteps in terms of being caring and forgiving toward others. Students can reflect on the qualities of Jesus through biblical passages and then relate these to their understanding of the idea that although we all sin, we must try to be aware of our behaviour and be willing to admit our wrongdoings when necessary.
In terms of relating the sacrament of reconciliation to the religious dimension of the school, it is clear that if students are more conscious of their actions, they will be able to consider their actions in the playground and around the school community, in the way of considering how their actions have consequences. Teachers can use the students knowledge of the sacrament and relate this to playground rules and discussions on appropriate ways to act around staff and other students. A useful strategy within the classroom is creating classroom rules which have input from all students in the class. This will allow students to take ownership of their expectations within the classroom and are less likely to stray from the rules.
All Catholic schools are linked to their parish, whether it is on-site or not. If they choose to, they are given information about enrolling in the sacrament and the education based activities the students will be immersed in. It is important as students complete these activities and learning through their local Parish, that it is also reiterated in the RE syllabus.
Students will be enabled to learn and consider the ways of Jesus, aiming to follow in his footsteps in terms of being caring and forgiving toward others. Students can reflect on the qualities of Jesus through biblical passages and then relate these to their understanding of the idea that although we all sin, we must try to be aware of our behaviour and be willing to admit our wrongdoings when necessary.